The Festive Friday at Meydan offered the first proper signposts of the winter at Dubai Racing Carnival headquarters on Friday, 19 December 2025, with a young improver finally getting his Group moment on turf, a proven dirt performer returning to form in the feature, and a strong supporting card throwing up several names worth following into January.
Opera Ballo has looked a horse of serious potential from the start of his career, and he turned that promise into a major statement when landing the G2 Al Rashidiya (1800m, turf) — his fifth win and first success at Group level. William Buick rode him with patience, keeping him covered in third before asking for an effort approaching the final 200 metres. The response was instant, and Opera Ballo quickened clear to score by three lengths from stablemate Nations Pride, a four-time top-level winner.
Trainer Charlie Appleby made it clear afterwards that the talent has never been the question; it is harnessing it that remains the key. He explained that Buick’s main task was to get the colt to settle behind another horse and relax into the race. On this evidence, that lesson has started to stick. The likely next step is the G1 Jebel Hatta on 23 January, with a longer-term decision to follow on whether World Cup night becomes a realistic destination.
Buick, who has made a habit of thriving on big nights at Meydan, said the contest set up perfectly because Opera Ballo had the cover he needed when stepping up in trip. The rider added that the team came to learn as much as to win — and that both objectives were met.
Meydan Festive Friday results: Imperial Emperor leads a Seemar clean sweep in the Al Maktoum Mile
If Opera Ballo supplied the turf headline, the dirt feature belonged to Imperial Emperor, who captured the G2 Al Maktoum Mile and led home a one-two-three for trainer Bhupat Seemar. Ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, Imperial Emperor travelled in a handy position, moved into contention smoothly, and then found plenty in the final 200 metres to win from stablemates Commissioner King and Mendelssohn Bay.
Seemar, who sent out a large team in the race, welcomed the return to a mile and suggested there is still improvement to come as the season builds. O’Shea echoed that view, describing Imperial Emperor as a stronger horse this campaign and hinting that stepping up in distance could yet be part of the route as connections shape their winter plan.
Earlier on the dirt, the Listed Entisar Stakes again looked a meaningful pointer toward the months ahead. Heart Of Honor overcame a race that didn’t appear to be run to suit him, working his way into the contest under Saffie Osborne before wearing down the leaders late. He got past Walk Of Stars and also accounted for Artorius, winning with something in hand. Osborne admitted the ride felt uncomfortable down the back straight, only for the horse to show a far better attitude once asked around the bend — “relentless” was the word she used — and her trainer father, Jamie Osborne, spoke with the optimism of a yard that believes it has found a serious prospect.
That performance has earned Heart Of Honor a likely step up next, with the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge on Fashion Friday (23 January) now firmly in the frame.
Buick’s turf four-timer lights up the undercard
The supporting races on turf belonged to Buick, who added three more winners to his Al Rashidiya success.
Appleby’s Mysterious Night showed his fondness for Meydan by returning from a long absence to win the Listed Business Bay Challenge (1400m, turf). He had to work for it against the race-fit Khanjar, but kept finding to prevail by a neck. Appleby said the gelding’s homework had been good coming into the night and that he was pleased with the fitness level, while also noting that the next step — sticking at 1400 metres or moving up — will depend on how the horse comes out of the race.
In the speed test of the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash (1000m, turf), Cover Up successfully defended his title. The Crisford team will have had a brief moment of anxiety as Buick searched for room, but once the gap appeared the response was sharp and decisive. Cover Up surged through and went on to win by two lengths from Rabaah, suggesting this winter campaign could be a productive one.
Buick completed his four-win night when By The Book dominated the Dubai Racing Club Classic (2400m, turf). Still lightly raced, and making only his fourth start, the Frankel colt was in a different league to his rivals, pulling clear to win by four and a half lengths from Asgard’s Captain. Appleby said the yard has always liked him, and that the track and style of racing may suit his strengths through the winter.
Arabian success, juvenile promise, and a Costa one-two-three to finish
The opening Purebred Arabian Group 1 of the evening also delivered a new narrative. Muraad, a French top-level winner new to UAE racing, made an immediate impact on his dirt debut in the G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 for Purebred Arabians. He was keen early under Silvestre de Sousa but still had enough in reserve to hold off the persistent Mubeed, the defending champion, by a neck. It was a determined introduction to local conditions and one that will make him a name to watch as the Arabian division gathers momentum.
Among the two-year-olds, Labwah turned earlier form around in the Shahama Stakes (dirt). She led throughout under Bernardo Pinheiro, found more when challenged in the straight, and held Star Mirage by a quarter of a length. Pinheiro described her as a straightforward type at home — quiet in the yard, professional in her work — and credited the good draw and clean break for allowing her to control the race.
The closing Stride Conditions race (1200m) produced a neat training sweep for Michael Costa, whose stable supplied the first three home. Raajehh, ridden by Andrew Slattery, did his best work late to deny Mouhjah, and Costa suggested a classic-minded route could be on the table, depending on how the colt recovers and whether connections choose a prep or go straight to the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas.
With the Meydan Festive Friday results now in the book, attention turns quickly to the next major chapter. The Dubai Racing Carnival returns on Friday, 2 January, when the G2 Zabeel Mile and G3 Dubawi Stakes take centre stage — and several winners from this meeting look ready to step forward again.
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